Orange County Register

Kevin Von Feldt, director-producer of the troubled production of “A Christmas Carol” that recently closed at the Kodak Theatre, has responded to my last Arts Blog entry with an explanation that sheds some light on things and gives his side of the story.

Here’s his e-mail:

I was not given the painters’ addresses until this past
Monday. I didn’t hire them, I didn’t know their names and relied on my
scenic designer to gather up the info which I was given on Monday.
What the painters and carpenters failed to tell you was they received extra
pay per hour to wait until the Kodak treasured the show. They had a choice
in the beginning and all asked for that option. The first Kodak payment came
on Monday, Dec 29th. This show just closed three days ago. That time period
really wouldn’t rise to the level of non-payment of bills for this
production.

Ancient history isn’t really relevant to this situation. The
show simply didn’t sell. Long before Jane Seymour’s illness (your statement
that she “pulled out” is inaccurate), long before the tech glitches on
opening night, etc., this show, with icon stars….at the Kodak
Theatre……simply didn’t sell, like many shows these days….go online and
try to buy a ticket to “Annie”, the show that comes in after us. You can buy
tickets in the 5th row orchestra for opening night just six days before
opening…and I thought I had problems. 18.8% of capacity was the final
tally for our run. Unthinkable on paper! It’s hard to deal with a financial
disaster on that level instantly.

The audiences at productions post-23 December were enthusiastic with their praise.
We gave people a great show under impossible conditions.

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